The Summer Palace - 颐和园 (Yeheyuan)

The Summer Palace was originally built in 1750 and

was named the Garden of Clear Ripples. 

 It was destroyed in 1860 during the Opium wars,

but was rebuilt in 1886 by the emperor Cixi

and renamed the Summer Palace.

 

The morning we were here it was raining -

so we were not able to see all of the garden or get very clear pictures. 

On the bright side - the rain cleaned the air and removed the smog for a couple of days.

The entrance to the garden

Close-up of the gate

The Pagoda near the bridge to the island.  I am sure it has a name - but can't remember.  The interior is lined with poems all around.
 

Soldiers were stationed at all of the tourist sites.

The bridge to the island in the middle of  KunMing Lake.  The Lake was built to replicate West Lake in Hangzhou.
 (The day we visited West Lake it was raining too - must be something about the water.)

Close-up of the roof details

On the left is the Summer Palace - we couldn't see it clearly because of the rain :-(. 
Check out this website for some awesome pictures of the
Summer Palace - Beijing

One of the boats that take you across the lake

Rubber Ducky!! 
It is touring the world and happened to be in Beijing while we were there.

Temple of Heaven 天壇 - Beijing

We visited the Temple of Heaven on our last day in Beijing. 

The Temple of Heaven was built from 1406 - 1420 and was visited by emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties.  It is larger than the Forbidden City (the Emperor's residence) to show respect to the gods of heaven. 

In Chinese culture the square represented earth and the circle represented heaven.  So the temples (we only visited the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests) are round and each sits in a square courtyard - thus representing the uniting of heaven and earth. 

Originally only the emperors and their families (and guards) could enter the temples and surrounding gardens. 

In 1918 the grounds were opened to all Chinese and has since been made into a beautiful park.

 

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

The temple is constructed completely of wood with NO nails.
Inside there are a series of pillars - four on the inside, 12 pillars in the middle and another 12 pillars on the outside.  The four inner pillars represent the four seasons.  The 12 middle pillars represent the 12 months of the year and the outer 12 represent the Sichen - an ancient Chines unit of time equaling 2 hours (thus representing a 24 hour day).  The roof is made of three levels to signify getting closer to heaven.



A close-up of the inside showing some of the pillars. 
The painting and colors are amazing (the picture doesn't do it justice)

The Temple sits on top of three levels - again representing the ascent to heaven.

One of the carved staircases leading to the temple.
This is the top representing the heavens. 
 

 Imperial Hall of Heaven

Inside the Hall of Heaven, there are house-shaped shrines holding god tablets. On the first and fifth day of each lunar month, officials would sweep the dust and burn the incense there. The emperor would give a ritual there on the eve of the Ceremony of Worshipping Heaven.

 

The three gates to the hall

Inside the Hall

Other Buildings and Gardens

The pavilion to the inner gate - you can see the top of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in the back.
(The whole complex is surrounded by a wall. 
Then an inner wall surrounds the temples limiting access to them to the Emperors only.)

Notice the carvings on the roof tiles and the intricate painted designs
(this building has not been restored - so much of the paint has faded.)

Many people come to the park for morning exercise.  These ladies stood on one leg like this for over 15 minutes.
 (Notice I did NOT join them - ha!)



We were lucky to see a couple getting their wedding photos. 
Red is the traditional color for Chinese wedding dresses.

 

Tian'an men Square - Beijing

We began our tour in Beijing October 1st - national day.  The day Chinese people celebrate Mao's triumph over Chiang Kai-shek.  In fact they get the WHOLE week off - October 1 thru October 7.  (And you thought our three day weekends were great?!) 

 

We were told that Tian'an men Square holds about 1 million people. 

 I think it was pretty close to capacity that day! 

We were there earlier in the afternoon, so the crowds were just beginning,

but I have never seen SO many people - not even at Disneyland!



Main government building (like our Capital Hill)
(on the back side of the square)



On the left is the entrance to the Forbidden City - Mao's picture is in the center
Tian'an men Square was once part of the Forbidden City. 
The gardens, gates and buildings of half of the Forbidden City were
 removed starting in 1951 to create what is now this street and Tian'an men square.

The center of the square facing the museum (behind)
I'm not sure what the basket represented - it is a temporary display

The whole square was full of beautiful flowers.
 

The People's Heroes monument in front of Mao's Mausoleum.
Here is a pretty good indication of the crowd. 
Notice the policeman - police do not carry guns in China

Rafa with  the People's Heroes Monument - closer up
 (Notice the barriers - we couldn't get very close to any of the buildings or monuments. 
Not sure if that is normal or only because of the holiday.)

The flowers in front of the National Museum

 



Mao's Mausoleum

The Monument to the People (on both sides of the Mausoleum)

 

Don't know who is in the picture (comment if you know please)

Facing the Forbidden City at Tian'an men Gate
(Notice the cameras - they are literally EVERYWHERE!)